Peterborough’s much-loved Lido will officially open its gates for the 2026 season on Saturday 28 March, kicking off a very special year as the iconic outdoor pool celebrates its 90th birthday.

The team behind the Lido has confirmed a “splashtastic” extended season, with a programme of special events planned throughout the year to mark nine decades of swimming, sun-soaked memories and community life. More announcements are promised in the coming weeks as the celebrations take shape.

First opened in 1936, Peterborough Lido is one of the finest surviving examples of an Art Deco outdoor swimming complex in the country. With its distinctive design, Olympic-sized main pool, diving boards and generous sunbathing areas, the Lido quickly became a social hub for generations of Peterborough residents.

Over the decades, the Lido has weathered changing fashions, periods of closure and passionate campaigns for its preservation. Its survival is widely credited to strong local support and recognition of its cultural and historic importance to the city. Today, it stands not just as a place to swim, but as a symbol of Peterborough’s shared heritage and collective pride.

The 2026 season promises to build on that legacy, offering residents and visitors alike the chance to reconnect with a treasured landmark while looking ahead to its future. Whether you are an early-morning lane swimmer, a family making summer memories, or someone returning for the first time in years, this anniversary season is shaping up to be one to remember.

With doors opening on 28 March and celebrations planned throughout the year, Peterborough’s Lido is ready once again to take centre stage in the city’s spring and summer life.